Acne

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Acne is a common skin condition that causes spots to develop on the skin, usually on the face, chest and back. It affects almost all teenagers during puberty. However, it is not unusual for adults, especially women, to develop acne in their mid to late 20s.

Acne can vary from mild (the occasional pimple) through to severe acne (nodules and cysts).

Causes

Acne occurs when hair follicles of our skin become blocked. We all produce oil under our skin (called sebum) from glands next to the hair follicles which helps to keep the skin from drying out. However, with acne, too much sebum is produced. This excess oil, when combined with dead skin cells, can cause the follicle to become blocked. Pimples or cysts occur when a normally harmless bacteria that live on the skin, grows in the blocked follicle causing it to become inflamed.

Symptoms

There are in fact six main types of spots:

Blackheads

These are small black or yellowish bumps on the skin. The black colouring is not dirt, but rather due to the inner lining of the hair follicle producing pigmentation.

Whiteheads

These look similar to blackheads but they can be firmer and when squeezed they will not empty.

Papules

These are tender bumps that are red in appearance.

Pustules

These are similar to papules, but the tip is white in the centre due to a build-up of pus.

Nodules

Large hard lumps that build up beneath the surface of the skin and can be painful.

Cysts

Large pus-filled lumps that look similar to boils. These are the most severe type of acne spot and have the greatest risk of causing permanent scarring.

Prevention Tips

Wash your face twice a day

Use a mild soap and lukewarm water. Very hot or cold water can aggravate acne.

Don’t try to squeeze spots

Squeezing can make them worse and lead to scarring.

Avoid touching your face and make sure to wash your hands

Avoid touching your face with your hands and make sure you regularly wash your hands. Touching your face with dirty hands can not only spread bacteria, you can irritate skin that may already be inflamed.

Don’t try to squeeze spots

Squeezing can make them worse and lead to scarring.

Avoid touching your face and make sure to wash your hands

Avoid touching your face with your hands and make sure you regularly wash your hands. Touching your face with dirty hands can not only spread bacteria, you can irritate skin that may already be inflamed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Adults don't get acne.

False. Acne has no age limit. But hormones do play a key role in adult spots. The thing to remember is this: generally, adult skin is less oily than teen skin.

Squeezing your spots is the best way to tackle acne.

False. Squeezing spots, whether they are blackheads or whiteheads, could actually make the problem worse, and may eventually lead to scarring.